The Education Department will begin sending notices in early January to roughly 1,000 federal student‑loan borrowers whose accounts are in default, the opening step in a broader plan to resume wage garnishments. The department said collections will scale up monthly after the initial notices. Millions of borrowers are in default—defined as 270 days past due—and advocacy groups warned the move could deepen financial hardship for low‑income borrowers. The department said garnishments will proceed only after notice and opportunity to repay; critics say borrowers were not offered adequate affordable repayment pathways. The decision follows the end of pandemic-era payment pauses and a contentious policy environment where wide forgiveness efforts were repeatedly blocked in court. Higher ed offices, financial-aid administrators and student‑services teams should prepare for increased borrower inquiries, default‑management activity and potential state litigation or advocacy challenges.